How in the world did Gerald Ford beat Ronald Reagan for the Republican nomination in 1976?
Seems like it would have been a no brainier to me.
Gerald Ford was the President.
And, it's probably a good thing. Watergate was still fresh on everyone's mind and the Republicans didn't stand a chance.
Nope, Americans had to see Carter screw things up for four years before they were ready for the Reagan landslide.
He campaigned better
Reagan was not liked by the political establishment; he was a Washington outsider whereas Ford had been in Congress for 24 years before becoming Vice President (after Agnew's resignation). Also, Ford was (technically) the incumbent President (after Nixon's resignation).
He was already the incumbent of the republican party since he was already in office although by de facto, since he replaced Agnew but primarily since he replaced Nixon. However, when Reagan decided to run, he thought that he'd be a shoo-in for the nominee, especially because of the Watergate scandal, but it turns out that after the primaries and caucuses, most republicans went for Ford, even though he lost to Carter.
I don't remember that Ford got nominated in 76 because I voted for Carter but most people thought of Reagan as an old movie actor and got by with a folksy veneer and didn't like him as Gov. Of Calif. In retrospect you say it is a no-brainer because we have seen what both men did but we didn't have a crystal ball.
Reagan was nothing but a B grade actor
St. Ronnie The Deranged wsas showing symptoms of oldtimers even then.
Gerald R. Ford was a man of extremely high integrity probably more so than any other President in the last 100 year's. Even though he wasn't elected his administration was practically Zero free from scandal. In the aftermath of Watergate Nixon had to pick a leader that would be confirmed by both Democrats and Republicans in The Senate upon his resignation. Gerald R. Ford was confirmed almost unanimously! The Nation needed a honest leader. But him pardoning Nixon is why he wasn't elected shame really.
Because traditionally the incumbent always gets the nomination.
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